Andy Kaufman character makes T/F cameo
Published Feb. 29, 2008
The True/False Film Festival is unpredictable by nature, full of surprises and unexpected guests. But among the most unexpected was the reemergence of a rather famous fictional abusive lounge singer.
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet “Tony Clifton.” Or rather, a True/False volunteer who has assumed the persona of comedian Andy Kaufman’s famous lounge-singer alter ego. With his faux mutton chops, a beard that appears to be drawn on with a black Sharpie and a powder-blue leisure suit — complete with frilly cravat — “Tony” was there to entertain people in line.
“I’m here to entertain,” he says, in character. “Doin’ weddings, a few bar mitzvahs. They’re paying me the big bucks to do this gig.”
He proceeds to poke fun at the Midwestern filmgoers as they file in, telling the story of one man he met who opted out of a screening because he knew he would have to get up for church the next morning. He says it would never be like that in his hometown of Las Vegas.
“Bright lights, not so bright women,” he says.
Now out of character following the screening of “An Audience of One” Thursday night, the volunteer who chose to portray Tony says he decided to dress up “for the hell of it.”
“My job is entertaining the crowd,” he says. “I tell people where to go and what’s going on.”
He said he knew he wanted to dress up, initially choosing another suit over the powder-blue ensemble.
“My original thought was to be Michael Bolton,” he says. “But then I thought, with a little more gut and the facial hair, I could be ‘Tony Clifton.’”
He says he has enjoyed the reactions of the people who recognize the character, as well as those who do not understand the reference.
“I guess I’m most fascinated with the amount of people who think I’m Elvis,” he says.